The role
Are you ready to make a lasting impact on some of Wales’ most iconic natural landscapes?
We’re looking for a passionate and experienced Senior Land Management Officer to lead sustainable land management across the breath-taking Cambrian Mountains, focusing on some of our most valued National Nature Reserves, including Cors Caron, Coed Rheidol and Rhos Llawr Cwrt. This is a diverse and hands-on role where no two days are the same — ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic outdoor environment and is motivated by making a real difference for nature.
You’ll take responsibility for ecological planning, conservation delivery and legal compliance across a range of protected sites. On the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, you’ll work closely with the Forest Operations team, offering expert advice on managing sensitive habitats, historic features and key species. Your work will help ensure that nature is at the heart of sustainable land use decisions.
From carrying out tree safety surveys along public highways to advising on conservation constraints for forestry work, you’ll combine strategic thinking with practical action. You’ll oversee contractors, collaborate with landowners and local communities, and play a central role in shaping how our landscapes are managed for biodiversity, resilience and public benefit.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled ecologist or land manager who’s ready to step into a leadership role. If you're looking to apply your knowledge where it truly matters — on the ground, in the heart of nature — we’d love to hear from you.
As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to an NRW office within the place base / location above and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance. This role will require you to travel to Tregaron.
To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Paul Dann Paul.dann@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams
Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.
About us
You’ll be the go-to expert for your local area, working closely with a team of experienced technical officers and a supportive team leader to deliver tangible, on-the-ground results that contribute directly to national environmental priorities.
If you thrive in the outdoors, enjoy building strong relationships with landowners and stakeholders, and have a solid understanding of how to balance nature conservation with practical land management, this could be the ideal next step in your career.
You’ll have the autonomy to shape outcomes in your patch, the backing of a knowledgeable team, and the satisfaction of seeing your work make a real difference to landscapes, wildlife, and communities.
What you will do
- Be the technical lead in the development of the team and submit proposals for business planning. Provide technical support for wider work plans.
- Where appropriate act as NRW lead for specific technical issues.
- Participate in NRW technical/strategic groups or represent NRW on external forums.
- Interact with other specialists in NRW to promote consistent industry best practice
- Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
- Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
- Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
- Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills
In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.
- Experience of working across a wide range of land management disciplines.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of conservation management, designated sites, and all aspects of forest practise, including land liabilities.
- Knowledge of sustainable forest management, UKWAS and forest certification schemes.
- Coaching and mentoring skills.
- Experience of community liaison and public engagement activities.
- Ability to communicate effectively with regulated business and the public, explaining complex issues and gaining support by influencing.
Welsh Language Level requirements:
- Essential: A1 – Entry level
- Desirable: C1 – Proficiency level
Welsh language levels
Please note if you do not meet the level A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Benefits
This role will offer a range of benefits, including:
- Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
- 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
- generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
- commitment to professional development
- health and wellbeing benefits and support
- weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose
See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.
Please keep reading
We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
We are committed to equal opportunities and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.
We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.
We are a bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.
You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally. Applications are welcome from individuals who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time.
